Marlene Ver Planck - What Are We Going To Do With All This Moonlight (1999)

Recorded at two separate sessions in Paris, this album reveals why Marlene Ver Planck continues to occupy a place in the upper echelon of contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Many of the tunes are from the movies and Broadway musicals. The subtitle for the album, "Saxomania-Reeds and Rhythm," recognizes the contribution made by the excellent group of French reedmen and the rhythm section, which affords consistently first-rate accompaniment for Ver Planck throughout the session. For a pleasant diversion from the usual, the album features not just standards, but songs that are not heard all that frequently. Despite Ver Planck's valiant efforts, it becomes clear very quickly why one doesn't hear some of these ditties very often: They simply are not very good. On the other hand, there are some real gems that Ver Planck has brought to light. The Harry Warren/Al Dubin track "Sweet and Slow," from the 1935 film Broadway Gondolier, is done in a syncopated style which makes the music interesting, even though the lyrics are a bit simplistic. There's some great ensemble work on this tune and it accommodates to Ver Planck's scatting style quite nicely. The Gerry Mulligan Mel Torme-penned "The Real Thing," a truly beautiful tune, gets a gorgeous rendering from Ver Planck, with plenty of help from the sax section and Stanley Laferrier's piano. "This Is the End of a Beautiful Friendship" is a vehicle for each member of the band to solo. Claude Tissendier's clarinet and Claude Braud's tenor especially stand out. Marlene's talented husband, J. "Billy" Ver Planck composed several tunes for this session; "Nobody, But Nobody" is the best of these, with a nice fox trot arrangement that may well encourage listeners to get up and dance. Braud's tenor gets some solo space on this tune. "Star Eyes" is kicked off with a fast-paced sax ensemble, slowing down to a manageable beat for Ver Planck's vocal. This is one of the highlights of the set. All in all, whether familiar standards or not, all of the 17 tunes on the play list are done with style and grace, and mostly in a sprightly, uptempo beat. Even "Embraceable You," usually played slowly and soulfully, gets a rare uptempo reading from Ver Planck and the group. As expected, Ver Planck's diction, phrasing, and handling of the lyrics are impeccable. What Are We Going to Do With All This Moonlight is another in a long run of Ver Planck classic vocal albums and is a fun-filled, toe-tapping collection. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan